Thanks to Richard Larcombe on behalf of BMG for confirming that the new DVD release of
Escape From New York is definitely 2.35:1, and not the incorrect
1.33:1 as quoted on the back of the box.
Jamie Lee Curtis gets another fright in Halloween H20 on PAL Laserdisc now...
Jamie Lee Curtis stars alongside Adam Arkin, Michelle Williams, LL
Cool J and Josh Harnett in
Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later
out on PAL Laserdisc now.
Gwyneth Paltrow changes direction in Sliding Doors on PAL Laserdisc now...
Gwyneth Paltrow could cry again when she sees her boyfriend in bed with
old flame Jeanne Tripplehorn but what if she'd never seen it happen?
Sliding Doors
provides all the answers and it's out on PAL Laserdisc now.
Nicolas Cage stars in Brian De Palma's Snake Eyes on PAL Laserdisc now...
Nicolas Cage stars alongside Gary Sinise, Carla Gugino, Stan Shaw
and John Heard in
Snake Eyes
out on PAL Laserdisc now.
Are you being cheated by the record shops ?
I bought the ATB cassette single at Our Price in Chester, but something
was not quite right about it. Read their chart entry at No.1 in my
music chart
to find out why I'll be writing to their Customer Services division.
Entertainment in Video July 26th releases
Information about the next batch of EiV titles came today :
Blade (£19.99): theatrical trailer, deleted scenes, stills, cast
and crew interview bites, special effects section, designing Blade section
and a behind-the-scenes feature.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (£17.99): theatrical trailer,
'making of' featurette and stunt scenes action.
Dark City (£19.99): with 'making of' featurette.
Tombstone (£15.99): featurette trailer and 'making of' featurette.
Mortal Kombat II: Annihilation (£15.99): theatrical trailer, cast and crew interview bites.
Last Man Standing (£15.99): featurette trailer and 'making of' featurette.
Set It Off (£15.99): theatrical trailer, music video.
Once Were Warriors (£15.99): extras yet to be confirmed.
New Entertainment in Video releases
I saw the latest titles available in the shops today and while some of them
have extras, they're not all they could be. Until I get to see some of these
titles all I know is that while Lost In Space, Wedding Singer and
The Mask are listed as Dolby Digital 5.1, the following are listed as
ProLogic only: Seven, Seven Years in Tibet, Donnie Brasco and
Spawn: Director's Cut. Also, the ratio on the back of Lost in Space
is "16:9", so will that mean "16:9 enhanced", as per Wag the Dog (the
ratio of which was actually 1.85:1) or as per Boogie Nights which was
just cropped to 1.85:1 ?
New BMG and Medusa releases
Titles I saw available were: The Graduate, Manhunter, Escape from New York,
Evil Dead 2, Raw Deal plus all the Playboy titles, one of which:
The Best of Pamela Anderson is well-chaptered with 24 covering a mere
54 minutes of video. However, it is worrying that Escape from New York
is listed on the back cover as "Presented in original 1.33:1 ratio", when
it was shot in 2.35:1.
The Killing Zone comes to DVD...
Information came to me today regarding a new British Gangster Thriller, The
Killing Zone, described by Lisa Woo, Festival Director, New York Lower East
Side Film Festival, as a "stylish flick has the qualities of a David Mamet
film, Guy Ritchie's Lock Stock And 2 Smoking Barrels and Danny Boyle's
Trainspotting". Starring Padraig Casey, Oliver Young and Nicola
Stapleton(Eastenders, Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star),
this title seems the light of day to rent on video and to buy on DVD from
the 12th July from Third Millenium Distribution.
Thanks go to Kerina Lee at Columbia TriStar for the following titles which I
received yesterday, including a couple of back-catalogue titles I was looking
forward to : (all are anamorphic except for Backdraft)
Bram Stoker's Dracula: Francis Ford Coppola's take on the
legendary tale starring Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves and
Winona Ryder. The DVD features a theatrical trailer, filmographies,
costume designs and a 29-minute documentary, "Dracula: The Man, The Myth, The
Legend"
Backdraft: Not anamorphic, this disc only adds production notes
and filmographies.
Liar Liar: Production notes, trailer and filmographies, but alas
no featurette ("Bridging The Comedy Chasm") which was on the PAL Laserdisc
and no director's commentary track which can be found on the NTSC Laserdisc.
Waterworld: Production notes, trailer and filmographies.
Matilda: No extras but a very good transfer.
Single White Female: A theatrical trailer is included.
Thanks go to Phil Baker at MGM for this latest release :
Red Corner: An anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer with a theatrical trailer
and a director's commentary track.
If you like having your fingernails pulled out with pliers, then you'll
know it's preferable than the prospect of STAR FOR A NIGHT (BBC1, 8.10pm),
a one-off 'Stars in their Eyes' ripoff from the BBC with The Cruise's
Ronald (Jane) McDonald compering the tripe. Later comes the final UNZIPPED
(C4, 10.20pm) with Graham Norton covering politics, with a TV premiere for the
TV movie remake of REAR WINDOW (C5, 9pm) starring Christopher Reeve.
Sunday :
In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), Cindy makes a confession to Tony and Lucy
receives a windfall. Things turn serious for Finn and Lewis when police are
called to the yard. MY WONDERFUL LIFE 3 (ITV, 6.55pm) returns for the
final episode (AFAIK it's a 7-part series), while they go down the sitcom path
again with Gwen Taylor as the "acid-tongued" BARBARA (ITV, 8pm).
Barbara? May as well be Babar The Elephant for all the laughs it generated
from the extended trailer. BBC2 continue to lie about stating they wouldn't
be showing the whole first series of GAME ON (BBC2, 9.30pm) as another
episode is shown ("Working Girls") and ITV continue with BIG BAD WORLD
(ITV, 9.30pm). In CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), Maxine gives Ashley
her answer much to Fred's horror and Sally tells Danny where to get off.
BBC1 have a TWISTER WEEK (BBC1, 7pm) over the next few days, but it
certainly is 'Twister-weak' as the big-budget film is NOT part of the lineup!
Finally Robert Rodriguez's El-Mariachi remake DESPERADO (C4, 10pm)
gets a TV premiere but both should be available on a DVD double-bill shortly.
Let's play...
Monday :
Fans of NEIGHBOURS (BBC1, 12.35pm) should note the earlier time for
the duration of this week thanks to Wimbledon. In CORONATION STREET
(ITV, 7.30pm) Ashley's revelation gives Maxine fresh cause for concern, while
The Street's answer to Hannibal The Cannibal, Rosie, finds herself in trouble
again. Matthew and Steve are quizzed by the police in EASTENDERS
(BBC1, 8pm), hopefully putting an end to this ridiculous storyline, while
Natalie shocked that Bianca hasn't yet spilled the beans on Dan. I hope it's
not long before it happens as it's another tediously-obvious storyline.
Tuesday :
The same old same old continues in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm).
Nikki breaks down in court in another tediously-obvious storyline in
BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm), while Ron and Anthea look forward to their
wedding (again). In THE BILL (ITV, 8pm), PC Cass Rickman (Suzanne
Maddock) gets her career off to a shaky start when she loses her gun. D'oh!
Meanwhile, it's backs to the wall as another series of GAYTIME TV
(BBC2, 11.15pm) ensues.
Wednesday :
There's fireworks at the Battersby's house when they receive a surprise
visitor in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Linda takes advantage
at the factory. Jimmy promises to put his family first in BROOKSIDE
(C4, 8pm), Nikki feels humilated and Luke protests his innocence. Fans (if
there are any) of DAYS LIKE THESE should note it's not on this week
as the latest Bond film goes on too long and it was also cancelled last week
for an extra 'Tonight with Trevor McDonald' about the mad couple who abducted
the foster kids.
Thursday :
Yes I'm still looking for episode 3 of MIAMI 7 (BBC1, 5.10pm)..again,
while the final part airs today. Lenny questions Matt's innocence in
EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm) and Bianca tries to deny her feelings for Dan.
THE BILL (ITV, 9pm) moves back an hour for no apparent reason but there's
a new series BEWARE: BAD DRIVERS (ITV, 8pm), another bloody docusoap but
one about mad drivers should be good for a laugh. The second episode of
SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM (BBC2, 9pm) may well be shown as it wasn't last
week. Thanks to Wimbledon overrunning, this was cancelled last week so they
could get back on schedule and not miss "Today At Wimbledon" (!) Lazy...
In OZ (C4, 12.05am), Alvarez refuses to reveal who raped Glynn's
daughter.
Friday :
Whinging-tosser John Noakes, recently complaining about how stressed he was
21 years ago in Blue Peter has a new 10-part series MAD ABOUT PETS
(ITV, 7pm) but I hope he doesn't stress himself out! Hayley catches Mike and
Linda out in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Leanne gets a
shock from the past when Nick's divorce papers turn up. Nathan and Jacqui
get it on in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm), while the rape trial (hopefully)
concludes. Jennifer Lopez and the Beautiful South appear on a new series of
DES O'CONNOR TONIGHT (ITV, 8pm). This week THE BEST OF THE WORD
(C4, 10.30pm) features Oliver Reed drunk as a fart along with MC Hammer.
SONGWRITER'S CIRCLE (BBC2, 11.45pm) begins a series of five acoustic
concerts in which three songwriters share a stage at West London's Subteranea
club to perform classic hits. This week: Neil Finn (Crowded House), Roddy Frame
(Aztec Camera) and Graham Gouldman (10CC). Stop! Hammer Time!
Madonna takes centre stage in Alan Parker's
Evita,
also starring Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce and Jimmy Nail, as well as
a cameo from the lead singer of one of today's biggest Irish bands. To find out who,
read the review online now.
Buffy 'scream's for all it's worth in I Know What You Did Last Summer on DVD...
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Phillippe and
Freddie Prinze Jr. are four teenagers who accidentally kill a man and
find that you can't just shove a mistake under the carpet and hope it goes
away in
I Know What You Did Last Summer,
out on DVD now.
"Queer As Folk" will NOT be anamorphic
While I'm very pleased to see this intriguing series getting a DVD release
on July 19th in its original 16:9 widescreen ratio, I had confirmation from
Michelle at Media Communications that it will not be presented in anamorphic
format.
Bjork's DVD single pronounced a success !
Making No.21 in the charts last week, not only did this catapult Bjork back
into the charts after a long absence since the single-buying public ignored
her last few releases, I learned from James at 9PR yesterday that a high
percentage of the single sales came from the DVD release.
There's currently no more future DVD releases planned from One Little Indian
records, but I hope it won't be long before we see some more and with a price
point of £6.99, they're about the same price as an import CD single,
with a crystal-clear copy of the promo video, unlike the MPEG1-compressed
efforts that dog many CD singles these days with appalling Video CD-like
'quality'.
Mark Wahlberg shows what he's made of in Boogie Nights on DVD...
Mark Wahlberg shows what he's made of as Dirk Diggler in
Boogie Nights,
a film that also features Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, Burt Reynolds and
William H. Macy.
De Niro and Hoffman go on the campaign trail in Wag The Dog on DVD...
Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Anne Heche attempt to save
the President's election campaign with a little Hollywood magic in
Wag The Dog
out on DVD now.
"Queer As Folk" to be released on DVD from VCI on July 19th
VCI are pleased to announce the DVD release of one of the most controversial
dramas ever made. The hard-hitting story of three socially active young men and
the loves, lusts and longings of their lives in Manchester's gay village,
Queer As Folk topped the ratings when it was broadcast in 8 parts on
Channel 4 earlier this year. It stormed into the video charts last month and
now looks set to repeat that success on DVD when it is released on July 19th.
Retailing at £24.99, Queer As Folk comes on a two-DVD set (the
press release states this is the first ever double disc set, but that honour
actually goes to Metallica: Cunning Stunts) featuring
the complete 8-part series, a comprehensive photo library comprising around
40 eye-catching images, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with
the stars. The DVD is presented in its original aspect ratio (16:9 widescreen)
with Dolby Surround and interactive menus.
Stuart (Aidan Gillen) has got it all - he's rich, drop-dead gorgeous
and always the centre of attention. His best mate Vince (Craig Kelly -
Casualty) is funny, adorable and definitely a babe but has zero
confidence in himself. He has carried a torch for Stuart since forever and
forgives him his arrogance because, as far as he's concerned, Stuart is pretty
close to perfection.
Stuart and Vince are both 29, hitting Canal Street every night in search of fun
but just starting to wonder where their lives are going. Then along comes
Nathan (Charlie Hunnam - My Wonderful Life). Just 15, he is young,
wild and coming out with a vengeance. He crashes his way into their lives and
now, nothing will ever be the same again.
Queer As Folk has an impeccable production team at the helm: written by
BAFTA award-winning Russell T Davies (The Grand, Do The Right Thing,
Touching Evil), directed by Charles McDougall (Hillsborough,
Cracker) and Sarah Harding (Reckless, The Grand) and produced
by Nicola Shindler (Hillsborough, Heart, Our Friends in the
North).
For the very first time, a mainstream drama programme features cybersex, drag,
death, underage sex, obsession, drugs, supermarkets, mobile phones, Manchester's
Canal Street...all the critical components of the 1990's gay lifestyle.
Queer As Folk details :
DVD Release Date: July 19th 1999
DVD Cat.no.: VCD 0023
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 260 mins approx.
Special Features: Exclusive photo library, behind-the-scenes footage,
star interviews
RRP: £24.99
New DVDs and widescreen videos out this week
The new DVDs available this week include :
National Lampoon's Vacation (15, 15.99, Warner)
Playboy: The Best Of Anna Nicole Smith (18, 15.99, BMG)
Playboy: Voluptuous Vixens (18, 15.99, BMG)
Red Corner (15, 19.99, MGM)
Twister (cut) (PG, 19.99, Columbia TriStar)
The new widescreen videos available this week include :
Bjork releases a music video compilation
Volumen
as well as the first chart-eligible DVD single
All is Full of Love
both out on DVD now with reviews online.
What's on TV this week?
Saturday :
As I type this, it's late on Saturday as I didn't have time to sort it
out beforehand so for today here's what you should (or shouldn't) have
watched. Channel 4 began the day with FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON
(C4, 12pm), this week covering the Apollo 13 mission already covered in that
film called...erm..I forget now. Crash! Bang! Wallop! (BBC2, 9pm)
is a night of programmes devoted to visual comedy introduced by Alexei Sayle
and featuring the first ever episode of SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM,
which continues in full from Thursday night, as well as a 'making of' the
show. Also, there's something about a wedding so pass the sick bag - not for
me to throw up in, but to take to Sophie and ask her to be sick in it on a
regular basis since she's taking over Diana's role. For an encore she will
throw things at her husband, shout at him like a raving lunatic, and finally
throw herself down the stairs just to get attention.
Sunday :
In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), Luke has won his bet but will Adam pay up?
Lewis wonders why he's in Beth's bad books and Tony receives bad news.
ITV ditch the excellent MY WONDERFUL LIFE 3 again, this time in place
of THE BLIND DATE WEDDING (ITV, 7pm). Rosie makes Sally's life a
misery in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Mike and Linda plan
a weekend away. Father Ted's Ardal O'Hanlon starts a 6-part comedy/drama
tonight with BIG BAD WORLD (ITV, 9pm) and BBC2 piss about yet again
with selected episodes in random order of one of the best shows they have,
John Stroud's superb GAME ON (BBC2, 9pm) which was dropped last week
in place of sport.
Monday :
Fans of NEIGHBOURS (BBC1, 12.30pm) should note the earlier time for
the duration of this week thanks to Wimbledon. In CORONATION STREET
(ITV, 7.30pm) Hayley suspects Linda and Mike, Kevin has a shock proposal for
Alison and Vikram is involved in dodgy dealings. Bianca meets Dan and get a
shock in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm), while the net tightens in on Matthew
and Teresa as Steve and Gianni draw closer.
Tuesday :
Will Matthew leave Teresa at the mercy of Steve in EASTENDERS
(BBC1, 7.30pm) ? The final part of this current lacklustre 4-parter of
THE BILL (ITV, 8pm) is on for anyone wanting to watch the obvious.
BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm) sees the feud between Ron and Sinbad ensuing
while the lads sense a change of luck at Glastonbury. Can Margi and Greg
heal the rift between them? Not while he's dipping his wick in stroppy
Suzannah. The first series of BUTTERFLIES (BBC2, 9pm) continues
and this time no-one's leaving the dinner table until they've finished
the rock-hard sponge pudding.
Wednesday :
Mike rages at Alma's demands in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm),
while Linda continues to ingratiate herself with him - but at whose expense?
Nikki worries that no-one will believe her in court in BROOKSIDE
(C4, 8pm) while Rachel helps Sinbad come to terms with his loneliness.
Thursday :
Yes I'm still looking for episode 3 of MIAMI 7 (BBC1, 5.10pm)..again,
while part 12 airs today, with just one more to go. Time is running out for
Matthew and Teresa just like the patience of the audience with this turgid
storyline in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm). THE BILL (ITV, 8pm) is
finally back on Thursdays and the reruns of SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM
(BBC2, 9pm) continue. In OZ (C4, 12.05am), ten months after the riot,
Emerald City is finally reopened.
Friday :
The Freshco summer ball kicks off in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm)
while Mike finds that there's a thief in their midst. Tensions run high in the
Close as the date of the trial approaches in BROOKSIDE (C4, 8.30pm),
while Jimmy and Jackie are speaking again but what has happened to William?
This week THE BEST OF THE WORD (C4, 10.30pm) features the female lead
singer of L7 taking her pants down for the camera, but the audience wishes
she'd kept them on.
Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno team up for Ronin DVD...
DeNiro, Jean Reno, Sean Bean, Natascha McElhone, Jonathan Pryce and
Sweden's answer to the late, great J.T. Walsh, Skellan Skarsgaad star
in
Ronin
out on DVD now.
Updated cinema listings...
Stuck for something to do this weekend? Live in the Manchester area? The list
of the films showing at
Manchester Showcase Cinema
can be found on this page.
This weeks new films are: Bride of Chucky: Child's Play 4, Cruel Intentions,
Celebrity, Without Limits and a review of
The Matrix
is online now.
Entertainment in Video's second batch of DVD releases
Following their mostly false-start with the first lot of DVDs, the second batch are released
on June 28th :
The Mask (£19.99): theatrical trailer, interview bites, the cast, B-roll,
'making of' featurette, director's commentary, interactive menu and English subtitles.
Spawn: Director's Cut (£19.99): director's commentary, 'making of' featurette,
interviews and English subtitles.
Seven (£17.99): theatrical trailer, 'making of' featurette, English subtitles.
Seven Years in Tibet (£19.99): two trailers, 'making of' featurette, interactive
menu.
The Wedding Singer (£19.99): theatrical trailer, biographies, interactive menu,
English subtitles.
Lost in Space (£19.99): crew information, music video, deleted scenes, US and
International trailers, behind-the-scenes special effects, stills, cast biographies and
production notes.
Donnie Brasco (£15.99): theatrical trailer, 'making of' featurette, interactive
menu.
Anyone looking for Rush Hour originally due out on the same day should note that it has
been pushed back to August 16th. No reason has been given, but I hope it is to add some more
extras.
DigiGuide is the *only* FREE offline electronic programme guide (EPG) for
the UK. DigiGuide embodies all of the best elements of a web site EPG but at
the speed, performance and convenience that personal computing power offers.
DigiGuide also has extra features such as automation, popup reminders with
speech and searching capabilities not yet found on web-based EPGs.
Reminders with speech - popup reminders have now been added to DigiGuide.
You can leave DigiGuide running in the background all day and have it remind
you when a favourite programme is about to start. You have the choice of
either a standard popup reminder, a speech reminder or both.
Enhanced Smart Search - the Smart Search criteria can now limit the search
to selected channels and/or selected categories. This is useful when you
want to higlight something like "football" but don't want chat shows about
football.
Minimise to tray - when DigiGuide is minimised it will disappear into the
system tray, this makes it less intrusive when you have several applications
running and you want to use DigiGuide in the background.
Customise Settings - several additions have been made to improve the
customisability of DigiGuide. There is now a "Large Fonts" option that sizes
all fonts up for users who find the current display too small. Another
important addition is the ability to limit the amount of historic data so
that old listings are removed (therefore saving disk space). You can also,
of course, toggle the minimising of DigiGuide to the system tray on and off.
Other - various amendments and small additions throughout have been made
to make DigiGuide much easier to use, mostly through user requests.
DigiGuide now covers 58 channels for the UK and more channels are
continually being added.
Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley do it for the
government in
The Assignment
out on DVD now.
What's on TV next week?
Saturday :
Channel 4 begins the day with FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON (C4, 12pm),
this week covering the Apollo 12 mission who decend upon the moon to carry
out a surface probe. It's available on DVD in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby
Digital sound, but anyone looking for a censored, pan-and-scan Dolby Surround
version of THE ROCKETEER (ITV, 2.45pm) will find it on today. Those
looking to scrape the barrel for entertainment should watch MAN O MAN
(ITV, 7.50pm), while comedy comes in the triple bill of UNZIPPED
(C4, 9pm), Angus Deayton's compilation NOT ANOTHER AWARDS SHOW!
(BBC1, 9.45pm) and the pretence that Third World debt will be wiped out with
COMIC RELIEF: THE DEBT WISH SHOW (BBC1, 10.40pm). Foreign film-lovers
should check out another work by the director of BETTY BLUE when BBC2
screen DIVA (BBC2, 11.50pm).
Sunday :
In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), Sol gets a shock when he arrives at prison and
Jas tries to make amends. James Bond fans should turn the wireless on for
DESERT ISLAND DISCS (Radio 4, 11.15am) when John Barry chooses his
favourites. It's the final show in the series of LEE AND HERRING'S THIS
MORNING WITH RICHARD NOT JUDY (BBC2, 12.15pm) and any fans should turn to
www.leeandherring.com for excellent
behind-the-scenes round-ups of each show, but only after you've read this.
ITV waste the afternoon with Grand Prix crap which means that the final
episode of the excellent MY WONDERFUL LIFE 3 will be on next week.
Linda plans to shag Mike senseless in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.50pm),
while cross-eyed Leanne moves back across the street. Want to waste 90 minutes
of your time? Then try HEARTBEAT: CHANGING PLACES, the video spin-off
with Nick Berry.
Monday :
Fans of NEIGHBOURS (BBC1, 12.30pm) should note the earlier time for
the duration of this week thanks to Royal Ascot. In CORONATION STREET
(ITV, 7.30pm) Mike and Linda keep their liaison a secret, while Jim reluctantly
funds one of Steve's dodgy schemes. Shocking secrets from Roy's past return to
haunt him in EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm), leaving him wondering if his
marriage to Pat will survive.
Tuesday :
DCI Mason pays a visit to Steve to go over his statement in EASTENDERS
(BBC1, 7.30pm). Part 3/4 of THE BILL (ITV, 8pm) sees Eddie Santini
trying to get one over "old flame" Rosie Fox, now a "Sgt.". BROOKSIDE
(C4, 8pm) sees Sinbad feeling alone, the Dixons celebrate Rachel being up the
duff, and Jason looks set to score with Jayne Farris. If you're a fan of ER,
try the Leeds General Infirmary in a new docusoap, A&E (C5, 8pm).
Wednesday :
YOUNG, HOT AND TALENTED (C5, 7pm) gets one out of three correct when
plastic-titted model Jordan tries her hand at making pop records. Leanne
receives an unlikely home offer in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm),
while Gary catches his tormentor in the act. BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm) finds
Harvey being eliminated in the rape enquiry, but how long before the police
find Joey guilty? TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall presents a new series of
TV DINNERS (C4, 8.30pm), but at least this time he's not cooking
placentas.
Thursday :
Yes I'm still looking for episode 3 of MIAMI 7 (BBC1, 5.10pm)..again,
while part 11 airs today, and anyone wanting to hear the music in person should
go out and buy the theme tune which is probably No.1 by the time this episode is
on. As the police close in, Steve intensifies his search for Matthew in
EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm). THE REAL STORY OF THE DJ RAPIST
(C4, 9.30pm) profiles the man who was jailed for allegedly raping 100 women,
DJ Richard Baker. COMING SOON (C4, 10.30pm) is a three-part comedy about
a fictional theatre company with Ben Miller and Paul Kaye. Finally, one of the
best new series from last year returns, OZ (C4, 12am).
Friday :
Maxine and Ashley rekindle an old flame in CORONATION STREET
(ITV, 7.30pm) while Gary finds that favours are not always rewarded.
Greg and Susannah share a passionate Father's Day together in BROOKSIDE
(C4, 8.30pm), while Mick and Mike watch in horror as Sinbad attacks Ron
and little Ruth is rushed to hospital. THE BEST OF THE WORD (C4, 10.30pm)
is a 10-part series which may be worth a look, while Jonathan Ross looks at
the big movies in FILM 99: SUMMER SPECIAL (BBC1, 11.10pm).
Stuck for something to do this weekend? Live in the Manchester area? The list
of the films showing at
Manchester Showcase Cinema
can be found on this page.
This weeks new films are: The Matrix, Heart, Among Giants and
Who Am I.
Alicia Silverstone finds herself as Excess Baggage on DVD...
Alicia Silverstone, Benicio Del Toro, Christopher Walken and
Harry Connick Jr. star in the kidnapping comedy,
Excess Baggage
out on DVD now.
New DVD release from MGM
Ronin, from director John Frankenheimer, is out to buy on DVD now
with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, an anamorphic picture, a cast to die for and a
host of extras :
Alternative Ending
Theatrical trailer
21-minute featurette, "Filming in the fast lane"
Feature-length director's commentary
8-page booklet containing exclusive behind-the-scenes information
Note that the featurette is not available on the American DVD so that's a
coup for the British market. Thanks go to Phil Baker.
Is the most boring song of the year at No.1 ?
Is the new No.1 the most boring song of the year, by one of the worst film
directors in the world? Could be. You'll have to find out on my
music charts analysis page
which also lists all the other new entries plus those that dropped out.
Brad Davis escapes from prison in Midnight Express on DVD...
Brad Davis stars in the true story of Billy Hayes, locked up in Istanbul
for possession of hashish. The only way out is escape and the code word for
that is
Midnight Express
out on DVD now.
Arnie and Danny are Twins on DVD...
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito are twins (don't ask)
out to buy on DVD now. Read the
Twins
DVD review online now.
Channel 4 have the only programmes worth watching today starting off with
FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON (C4, 12pm) in which it's 1969 and Neil
Armstrong is about to walk on the moon. Peter Cook is this week's star in
HEROES OF COMEDY (C4, 8pm) while Graham Norton follows with the third
part of his excellent series UNZIPPED (C4, 9pm). Those with suicidal
tendancies had better steer clear of Arnie's lame 'comedy' JUNIOR
(BBC1, 8pm), a film my girlfriend pestered me to see at the cinema but when
we went I slept through the first half-hour and she resisted all attempts of
mine to wake her throughout the entire film. Add to this STARS IN THEIR
EYES LIVE FINAL (ITV, 7.30pm) and KILLER NET (C4, 10pm).
Sky may be worth a look if only for MISS UNIVERSE 1999 (Sky 1, 9pm),
while ALIEN RESURRECTION (Sky Premier, 10pm) is certainly an entertaining
film but in pan-and-scan you may as well not bother as all the hard work by
Jeunet and Caro will have been poured down the drain.
Sunday :
In HOLLYOAKS (C4, 11am), Luke finally meets the woman of his dreams,
Sean is eager to mind the store for Cindy and Paul makes a shocking confession.
Ruth and Jas are probably still not sure of themselves but we'll have to guess
what happened as they certainly didn't get much time to lez-up :) .
"Drink your weak lemon drink!" will be the chant from Simon Quinlank in the
9th of 10 shows of LEE AND HERRING'S THIS MORNING WITH RICHARD NOT JUDY
(BBC2, 12.15pm) and any fans should turn to
www.leeandherring.com for excellent
behind-the-scenes round-ups of each show, but only after you've read this.
In MY WONDERFUL LIFE 3 (ITV, 7pm), Donna is finding single life hard to
handle, while next door tension mounts as Simon discovers Alan's firm is
threatening to destroy local woodlands. Mike and Alma throw in the marriage
towel in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm), while Rita finally hands the
rotting Kabin over to slapper Sharon. Spice Girls fans will get a 2-hr double
bill in the form of SPICE GIRLS IN AMERICA: A TOUR STORY (C4, 7pm)
and MELANIE G: A FLAVA SPECIAL (C4, 8.35pm). Drama fans will want to
see Anna Friel and Richard E Grant in ALL FOR LOVE (BBC1, 9pm), while
BBC2 confound me again by returning to series one of John Stroud's excellent
GAME ON (BBC2, 9.30pm), making me wonder whether they are planning to
show the whole series after all. Finally, a long long time ago in a galaxy
far, far away, the film E.T. - THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL (BBC1, 6.10pm)
was one of the most wondrous films ever made (well, in late 82/early 83) but
no longer as Spielberg threw everything away and sold out to British Telecom
for a crap advert.
Monday :
The BBC decide that after spending a load of money rescuing DUE SOUTH
(BBC2, 6pm), they'll show the latest series at the same time each week, which
doesn't make me happy as it means we'll no longer get repeats of "The Simpsons"
at that time and there's just not enough of those... In CORONATION STREET
(ITV, 7.30pm) Leanne pushes her luck at Ashley's, Alma enlists Curly's helps as
she seeks to break her ties, Toyah is still upset about Janice and Owen, and
Danny comes to the rescue. EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm) sees Carol struggling
to introduce her new man to Walford, while a meal turns into a nightmare (must
be part of my new diet :) Finally, Sean Penn and Gary Oldman star
in STATE OF GRACE (ITV, 12.15am Granada).
Tuesday :
Matthew panics, leaving him and Teresa with no choice but to act in
EASTENDERS (BBC1, 7.30pm) and Annie receives some bad news. Part 2/4
of THE BILL (ITV, 8pm) sees Eddie Santini once again squaring up with
"old flame" Rosie Fox, now a "Sgt.". BROOKSIDE (C4, 8pm) sees Ryan
jumping to the wrong conclusion again and beating a confession out of Harvey.
DOG-lover Andi Peters meets Gary Barlow (C4, 6pm), at least I think it's
DOG-lover, while the terrible and predictable BAD GIRLS (ITV, 9pm)
continues. Fans of John Stroud's other weekly comedy KISS ME KATE
(BBC1, 8.30pm) should note that it has moved from Thursdays to Tuesdays,
plus series one is out next week to buy on video. Age-old episodes of
CHICAGO HOPE (BBC1, 11.50pm) finally turn up on BBC1, while sci-fi fans
can watch THE MAKING OF "THE MATRIX" (ITV, 1.45am Granada).
Wednesday :
At the factory Linda is scheming in CORONATION STREET (ITV, 7.30pm),
while Gary finds there's more to cleaning windows than singing a crap song and
having a cheeky cockney accent. BROOKSIDE sees Jacqui ensuring that the
truth will out for Mike, and Harvey gets the better of Ryan, and Joey and Luke
are reconciled. FILM 99 WITH JONATHAN ROSS has gone for a summer Burton
so soon into its run, but the freakshow returns for the oddities that inhabit
PADDINGTON GREEN (BBC1, 10.20pm) and I bet you're so glad you don't live
there.
Thursday :
Yes I'm still looking for episode 3 of MIAMI 7 (BBC1, 5.10pm)..again,
while part 10 airs today, and anyone wanting to hear the music in person should
go out and buy the theme tune which is out this week under the kids' band name,
"S Club 7". Annie leaves Steve with an unpleasant surprise in EASTENDERS
(BBC1, 7.30pm) and Grant decides to change careers. The final episode in the
current series of FRIENDS (Sky 1, 9pm) is a double-ender, with Chandler
and Monica travelling to meet Joey in Vegas, soon followed by the rest of the
clan, and is it just mee or has Jennifer Aniston never looked better in this
series than in any of the previous four? Neil Morrissey, Barbara Windsor,
John Challis and Fay Ripley (Cold Feet and Mute Witness) appear on
Jonathan Ross' quiz show IT'S ONLY TV...BUT I LIKE IT (BBC1, 10pm),
while repeats are in favour for the brilliant BLACKADDER II
(BBC1, 10.30pm), even if it's not long since its repeat run on BBC2, this
episode, "Bells", seeing Edmund falling for Kate ("it's short for Bob").
Computer games are reviewed in BITZ (C4, 12.15am) and CYBERNET
(ITV, 3.20am Granada), and anyone missing VIDS should know that a second
series has been commissioned although no date has been set for its return.
Friday :
Mike tries to work out what Linda's plan is in CORONATION STREET
(ITV, 7.30pm) and Ashley is furious when Leanne invites round Vik and Steve.
EASTENDERS (BBC1, 8pm) is putting in a regular appearance on a Friday
now as Claudia gathers new evidence to put Steve in a difficult position, plus
there are disastrous consequences when Terry and Irene go out for dinner.
Jimmy and Jackie's marriage is at breaking point in BROOKSIDE
(C4, 8.30pm). Ron saves Harry from Katrina's temper, Susannah is mortified to
learn that Lindsey knows of her fling with Greg, and Rachel doesn't know how
to tell Mike he's going to be a father. For some reason, although it's not
listed as a repeat, Tuesday's THE MAKING OF "THE MATRIX"
(ITV, 12am Granada) turns up again.
Pierce Brosnan finds that the town of Dante's Peak has a small problem
- it's built on a volcano, and one that is about to have the final say.
Read the
Dante's Peak
review online now.
Updated cinema listings...
Stuck for something to do this weekend? Live in the Manchester area? The list
of the films showing at
Manchester Showcase Cinema
can be found on this page.
This weeks new films are: Virus, Deep End and Human Traffic.
I received four of the six titles released by Entertainment In Video yesterday
(thanks go to Michelle for these) and before the reviews appear on the website
I have made some brief notes about them.
Wag The Dog
This is the best of the bunch I received with an anamorphic 16:9 widescreen
transfer, theatrical trailer, director's commentary, biographies, filmographies
(or directography for Levinson :) and very brief interviews with main cast
members (for some reason although the "David Mamet" option has biog and filmog
info about Mamet in it, the "comment" (interview) section is William H Macy
talking about himself and nothing to do with Mamet (it even has a pic of Macy
while the Mamet info scrolls up), a documentary (From Washington to Hollywood)
and a short piece with Macy talking about Mamet (he does mention Mamet this
time :). The disc also has 18 chapters.
Evita
This disc contains 30 chapters, is in widescreen (2.35:1) but is not anamorphic
and has no extras.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Ditto for Evita but with 12 chapters.
Boogie Nights
Oh dear. The transfer may be anamorphic, but the film was originally shot in
2.35:1 (not sure of the film process but it's hard-matte 2.35:1) but this disc
is presented in a 16:9 ratio (like Sleepers, but at least that was a Super-35
film) and very brief interviews with the 7 cast members listed on the cover plus
director Paul Thomas Anderson (each lasts no longer than 2mins, but Don
Cheadle gets all of 17 seconds AND gets cut-off in mid-flow!). It contains
26 chapters. What's annoying is that EiV released a WS video (which
stated 2.35:1 on the box IIRC) so, just like Polygram's Sleepers, why did they
have to cock it up here?
I have not seen the DVDs for Jackie Chan's First Strike and Much Ado
About Nothing, but apparently at least the former is also Dolby ProLogic
only with no extras.
Sylvester Stallone is a former emergency services medical chief who
goes to help Amy Brenneman, Viggo Mortensen and Stan Shaw,
all trapped below ground level with little or no chance of survival in
Rob Cohen's
Daylight.
Coronation Street intro at No.1 in the charts again?...
...or is it some other mindless dance tune. Find out now what I'm on about on my
music charts analysis page
which also lists all the other new entries plus those that dropped out.
New DVDs and widescreen videos out this week
The new DVDs available this week are :
Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill Live (19.99, WMV)
Boogie Nights (18, 19.99, Entertainment In Video)
The Corrs - Live At The Royal Albert Hall: St. Patricks Day (19.99, WMV)
Dein Perry's Tap Dogs (PG, 19.99, WMV)
Eric Clapton: 24 Nights (E, 19.99, Warner Music Vision)
Evita (PG, 19.99, Entertainment In Video)
Hard Rain (15, 17.99, Polygram)
I Know What You Did Last Summer (18, 15.99, Entertainment In Video)
Jackie Chan's First Strike (12, 15.99, Entertainment In Video)
Much Ado About Nothing (PG, 15.99, Entertainment In Video)
R.E.M. - Road Movie (E, 19.99, WMV)
Wag The Dog (15, 19.99, Entertainment In Video)
and there's just one new widescreen video out this week :
DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV
connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and
played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
